John’s story

John is 72 and has significant health problems including prostate issues, glaucoma, cataracts, and chronic pain in his legs following an accident several years ago which results in mobility problems. Despite this he is a full-time carer for his 46 year old daughter who has enduring mental health problems including severe social phobia.

She is unable to engage with anyone at all and often won’t come out of her bedroom. They live in John’s own home and he receives Pension Credit as a top up to a State Pension.

We arranged a carers assessment for John with Care Direct and worked with Care & Repair (a Secure and Warm partner) to help with supplying a new boiler, phone installation, pendant alarm and completing an attendance allowance form.

John also needed advice about his daughter’s benefit entitlement. She received Income Support and now needed to apply for Employment Support Allowance (ESA). We were able to establish that she was too unwell to complete the claim form or engage with the medical assessment process as she usually cannot leave her home. As a result of protracted negotiation, the DWP accepted that she was entitled to ESA without the need for an assessment based on supplied medical evidence.

We also helped to John appeal against a decision awarding his daughter a lower rate of Disability Living Allowance . We helped prepare for the appeal, collect medical evidence and write a submission for the judge. As a result we were successful in securing a higher rate of DLA.

John’s household income has now greatly improved which in turn makes John’s role as an elderly carer more sustainable and has substantially improved their living conditions.